Window construction



- theinterior of a building,

Patented Apr. 28, 1942 4 b 2,281,071 WINDOW CONSTRUCTION A PercyKnudsen, Pittsburgh, Pa., assigner to Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company,

Allegheny County, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania l Application March24,1939, Serial No. 263,927

4 Claims..

The present invention relates to window constructions and notably towindow constructions of the double-or multiglazed type. One object ofthe invention is to provide a i simple and eilicient mechanism foradjusting a screen or shade construction disposed between the glassplates in a multiglazed window.

A second object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of theforegoing type which, after installation, `does not give access vof airto the `interior of thewindow,` with which it is employed. b

'Ihese and other objects of the invention will be apparent fromconsideration of the following specification and the appended claims.`

It has heretofore been recognized that conventional windows involving asingle plate or pane of glass were relatively ineilcient barriers to thetransmissionof heat to or from the interior `of` buildings in which theywere installed. For ex-A ample, the outer surface of the glass, duringcold weather, became chilled andin turn caused chilling of theatmosphere within the buildings in which the windows .i were employed.Conversely when the atmosphere without the buildings was warmer than theair within the buildings heat was transmitted from the .exterior to ythe interior. i

`In order to `obviate this type of heat transfer it has been proposed toprovide windows having aplurality of sheets or panesofglass `so spacedwith respect to each other asto form insulative dead air spaces.` By useof this type of construction heat lossesby conduction and convectionwere substantially reduced.

Although multiglazed Windows involving two i or more spaced plates of`glass substantially reduce transmission of heat by conduction orconvection, they donot constitute satisfactory barriers to radiant heatto which the glass is transparent.

screens or shades secured within the building `in which the windows areemployed. By use of such screens the amount of light transmitted can` beregulated fairly satisfactory. However, 1 lthe screens act as collectorsof dust and, moreover, in warm weather they become heated by radiantheat absorbed and, in turn, heat the indoor air. Of course vafter theheatonc'e gains access to except by refrigerating apparatus or othercooling devices. For this reason it is preferable to intercept it beforeit gains access to the interior. b The present invention involves as onefeature,

vOne conventional method of excluding `this type of heat has;` involved`the provision of provision of a multiple glazed window structureembodying a system of adjustable louvers sealed in the dead air spacebetweenthe sheets of glass, and including a closed iiuid actuated systemby means of which the louvers may be` adjusted `without admitting air tothe space.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may now be had tothe accompanying drawing in which like numerals refer to like`partsthroughout and in which the gure is a cross-sectional view takentransversely of the plane of a window unit embodying the invention.`

In the form ofthe invention shown, a building or room having walls Sisprovided with a window embodying a suitable frame Ill, including atransverse sill portion Il connected to jamb portion l2. The remainingportions including the lintel,` since they are simj second lamb and theilar, have not been shown. .b b

The cross-sectional contour ofthe frame sections is exemplied by thesillIl and comprises a rabbeted portion `I4` providinga `shoulder IB toprevent outward displacement of the marginal portions of an outer plateil of glass. Preferably the edges or margins of the glass are cushionedfrom contact with the frame by meansof a layer I8 of rubber, mastic orother suitable i sealing material.

The plate Il is maintained upon the rabbeted portion i4 by means of aspacer bar I9 resting upon a second stop`2| of the rabbet i4. The bar i!also includes `a `lip 22 which projects outwardly to engage the innersurface of the glass il, thus maintaining the latter in position.

Bar `I9 is further rabbeted along its inner edge as indicated at 23, toprovide a `seat for a second sheet24 of glass, which Contact with thebar by means of a suitable layer 2G, of sealing material. If desired,the construction may further embody a third sheet 2l of glass, alsoresting upon the rabbeted portion 26 of the bar I9"and being maintainedin spaced parallel relation with `respect to the sheet 24, byy means ofa spacer vbar 28, of wood, rubber, or any other suitable material.Sheet"2l is insulated from direct contact with the seat portion itcannot be removed in the bar corresponding to the layer 26. tween thesheets il, 24 and 21 the atmosphere by the layers I The assembly ofglass in place in the frame I0 which may be formed of the drawings, ofWood. the inner face of the The spaces beare sealed from 8, 26, and 29.

plates may be clamped by means of plate 3|, metal, or as` shown in Thisbar is secured to frame by screws (not is insulated from direct,

i9 by means of a `layer 29 of material y shown) or any other convenientfastening device, and is provided with an outwardly-projecting lip 32adapted to engage the exposed iace oi the plate 21.

It will be noted that sheets or plates I1 and 24 are suiliciently spacedto accommodate a louver construction 33 embodying horizontal bars 34,which are so spaced that when they are closed their edges overlap. Thesebars, at their extremities, are provided with axially disposed pintles36, having bearings in a vertically-disposed metallic bar, or plate 31,which is secured to the jamb section I2 by means of screws 38. Pintles36 are, also, provided with pinions or gears 39 rigidly secured theretoand engaging corresponding teeth upon a vertically-disposed rack bar 4|.The rack or bar is guided and maintained in a vertical path by means ofsuitable bracket 42 secured to the jamb section |2 by means of screws43.

At its lower extremity, it rests in a depression 44 in head 46 of anaccordion-like bellows or diaphragm 41 termed a sylphon, which is formedof thin, nexible, brass or other suitable metal having pleats orYcorrugations 48 designed to permit a substantial degree of axialextension of the construction. The bellows `extends into an opening 49in bar 22 and at its lower extremity is provided with a closure or`bottom I which may rest upon the upper face of sill section Il andtightly seals the opening.

connection between bellows 46 and bars 34 for rotation of the latterupon extension of the bellows.` `If desired, the head 46 of the bellowsmay be guided in its vertical movementby means of a downwardly-extendingtubular boss 52 secured thereto and mating with an upwardly-extendingboss 53 upon the upper face of the closure 5|.

Fluid for actuatingthe bellows is admitted by Contact of the' `rack bar4| provides an operative mechanical means of a conduit 54 extendingthrough an opening in the closure 5| and being disposed in a groove oropening 56 in the bar 22. The inner,v

extremity of the tube extends through the bottom of a bushing 51 whichis embedded :in an opening in the clamping bar or strip 3| and which isprovided with a peripheral ange 58 resting upon the outer face of thestrip and being secured thereto by means of screws 59. The bushinghouses, and also closes, one end of a second pleated bellows 6|substantially Vcorresponding to the bellows 41 already described. Thebellows is further closed by a head 62 to which is secured a socket 63that receives a ball 64 of an actuating stem` 66. The stern is outwardlythreaded through a bracket 6'1 approximately Aof U-shape, which isformed integrally with or otherwise secured to the flange 58. At itsextremity the stem is provided with a suitablel knob or hand-wheel 68 bymeans of which it may be rotated to actuate the head 62 of the bellows6I inwardly, `or outwardly, to` inate or deflate the latter.

Bellows 41 and 6| and the connecting tube 54 are filled with a suitablefluid medium, such as glycerol, glycol, or other non-freezing liquid.Accordingly, when it is desired to actuate the rack bar 4| upwardly ordownwardly, it is merely necessary to rotate knob or hand-wheel 68, thusinflating or deating the bellows 6|. The latter operation in turninjects or withdraws fluid from the bellows 48, thus inflating ordeatingI the latter. As the head 46 is actuated upwardly or downwardlyby fluid` Within the bellows, rack bar 4| is correspondingly actuated,and in turn causes simultaneous rotation of the-gears 88. The louverbars 4l may thus be rotated to any desired position to control theradiation passing y through thewindow. When the bars are perfect- 1yhorizontal in plane, light and radiant heat passes through almostwithout obstruction. However, when bars are tilted approximately tovertical position as indicated in dotted line in the drawing,substantially alllight and radiant heat is excluded.

It will be apparent that the bars 34 may be coated upon one face wtih areflective material such as an aluminum paint and upon the opposite facewtih an absorptive material, e. g., a black paint. Therefore, when it isdesired to exclude heat from entrance into the building in which theconstruction is employed, the reflective side may be faced outwardly,thus reiectingv the heat to the exterior and preventing its entranceinto the building. If it is desired to prevent radiation losses from thebuilding the bars may be faced the opposite direction, in order to reectheat inwardly.

It will be apparent that the construction as shown is relatively simpleof design. It will also be apparent that the chambers or spaces betweenthe glass plates inthe construction are substantially sealed from theexternal atmosphere, thus preventing the entrance of dust and moisture,which would tend to cloud or obscure the interior faces of the glass,and which in the case of dust might be deposited upon the louver bars34. The pleated ltubes or bellows 41 and 6| together with the connectingtube 54 provide means for the control of the rack bar 4|, which means isoperable without in any way giving access of air to the interior of the'construction.

The form of the invention hereindisclosed is to be regarded asexemplary. It will be apparent that numerous modifications may be madetherein without departure from the spirit ofthe invention, or the scopeof the following claims. I

What'I claim is:

1. A multiple glazed window construction` embodying a sash frameincluding jamb sections at the sides thereof and transverse sectionsconnected thereto, inner and outer spaced sheets of glass disposed inthe frame and vhaving their edges sealed in the frame to provide asealed dead air chamber, horizontal louver bars having pintles atopposite ends .journaled at the' sides of the frame, pinion gears uponthe pintles, a rack bar engaging the gears, one of said transversesections having an opening formed therein contiguous to an extremity ofsaid rack bar and means for reciprocating the bar, which means comprisesan extensible diaphragm disposed to seal the opening formed in thetransverse section and having an operative connection with the rack barto reciprocate the latter and means for extending and retracting thediaphragm for reciprocatingly operating the rack bar.

2. A multiple glazed window construction embodying a sash frameincluding jamb sections at the sides thereof and transverse sectionsconnected thereto, inner and outer spaced sheets of glass disposed inthe frame and having their edges sealed in the frame to provide a sealeddead air chamber, horizontal louver bars having pintles at opposite endsjournaled at the sides of the frame, pinion gears upon the pintles, arack bar engaging the gears, one of said transverse sections having anopening formedtherein contiguous to an extremity of said rack bar andmeans for reciprocating the bar, whichmeans comprises an extensible`diaphragm disposed to seal the opening formed in the: transversesection. and

` `having an `operative connection with the rack bar to reciprocate thelatter and means for extending and retracting the diaphragm forreciprocatingly operating the rack bar, said means for expanding andretracting the diaphragm including a second diaphragm connected throughthe `openingwith the iirst;` diaphragm, by a fluid atthe sides thereofand transverse sections interconnecting the jarnb sections. inner andouter spaced sheets of glass disposed in the frame and having theiredges sealed in the frame toprovide a sealed chamber, `horizontal louverbars disposed in parallel relation in the chamber and being supported bymeans permitting individual rotation of the bars about individualvertically spaced longitudinal axis, and means interconnecting the barsfor simultaneous rotation. one

of said sash frame sections being provided with an opening formedtherein, an extensible diaphragm disposed to seal the opening `andhaving an operative connection `with said means `for simultaneouslyrotating the bars and means for extending and retracting the diaphragmfor actuatingxthe latter? means, said means for extending and retractingthe diaphragm including a second diaphragm connected through the openingwith the first diaphragm by a uid sealed connection. whereby expansionor retraction of the latter diaphragm causes fluid pressure to betransmitted to the second diaphragm.

4. A multiple glazed window construction embodying a sash frameincluding jamb sections at the sides thereof and transverse sectionsconnected thereto at the top and bottom, inner and outer spaced sheetsof glass disposed in the frame and having their edges sealed inthe frameto provide a sealed dead air chamber, horizontal louver bars havingpintles at opposite ends journaied in the `jamb sections at the sides ofthe frame, a vertically disposed, bar-like actuating member operativelyinterconnecting the louver bars for tilting movement in unison abouttheir pintles, one of said transverse sections having an opening formedtherein contiguous to an extremity of said actuating member, and meansfor reciprocating the latter member, which means comprise an extensiblediaphragm disposed to seal the opening formed in the transverse sectionand having an operative connection with' the actuating member toreciprocate the latter and means for extending and retracting thediaphragm.

PERCY E. KNUDSEN.

